Evaluation of the accuracy of different transfer impression techniques for multiple implants

Area of Science:

• Dental Implantology
• Prosthodontics
• Materials Science in Dentistry

Background:

• Accurate impression techniques are crucial for successful dental implant restorations.
• Existing methods for transferring implant positions can introduce inaccuracies.
• Evaluating novel techniques is essential for improving clinical outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess and compare the accuracy of three distinct implant transfer impression techniques.
• To determine the most precise method for capturing implant positions for superstructure fabrication.

Main Methods:

• Four groups were established: tapered copings without splint (TC), square copings without splint (SC), square copings splinted with floss and resin (SCS), and a control group (CG) master model.
• Polyether material and individual trays were used for impressions.
• Image analysis software (UTHSCSA ImageTool) quantified gap discrepancies between the master superstructure and cast models; statistical analysis included ANOVA and Student's t-test.

Main Results:

• The control group (CG) exhibited the lowest mean gap (2.03 ± 0.00 µm).
• The splinted square copings (SCS) group showed the smallest gap among tested techniques (6.51 ± 0.09 µm), with no statistical difference from the CG.
• Tapered copings (TC) and non-splinted square copings (SC) presented significantly larger gaps (14.74 ± 3.41 µm and 12.08 ± 2.56 µm, respectively) compared to the CG.

Conclusions:

• The splinted square copings (SCS) technique demonstrated high accuracy and fidelity in transferring implant positions, comparable to the master model.
• All evaluated techniques yielded clinically acceptable gap values.
• The SCS technique is recommended for its precision in implant impression procedures.